Field assistants needed in December for research on Burrunan Dolphins in Coffin Bay, South Australia Fieldwork dates: 1st to 22nd December 2014 Applications: until 10th November 2014 Project title: Population size, spatial ecology and socio-genetic structure of the Burrunan dolphins (Tursiops australis) in Coffin Bay, Thorny Passage Marine Park (TPMP), South Australia. Institution: Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL); Flinders University www.cebel.org.au Overview: We are seeking experienced field assistants to help two PhD students during summer season with boat-based photo-ID of Burrunan dolphins (Tursiops australis) in Coffin Bay, one of the most beautiful marine parks of South Australia. Project aim: provide baseline information on the ecology, habitat use, social and genetic population structure of Burrunan dolphins in the TPMP in South Australia. This research is part of a larger research program into this species lead by the Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab at the School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University. This is an opportunity to gain experience in field techniques for small cetacean research and contribute to a project with very high conservation and management value. Duties: Searching for dolphins, driving the boat, photo-identification, recording field observations, equipment cleaning and data entry (including excel datasheets entry, fin photos classification and matching). Expectations: Field assistants need to be adaptable and patient as weather is highly dependent. We will be committed to go sampling everyday whenever weather allows us. If not, we?ll be working in data entry and fin matching of identified individuals. Assistants will need to be prepared for early morning departures (6- 7AM) and long days (6-8 hours) on the water for multiple consecutive days. Expect up to a week between days off, as field work is weather dependent. Prerequisites: ? No history of debilitating seasickness (essential) ? Experience of working on a small boat (highly desirable) ? Experience of photo-ID survey techniques (highly desirable) ? Experience of field research on small cetaceans (highly desirable) ? Enrolled in or completed a degree in biology, marine science, animal behaviour or a related field (desirable) ? Be team-oriented, patient, and have an enthusiastic attitude to hard work and collecting data on the natural environment (essential) ? Fluent English or Spanish (highly desirable) We?ll provide accommodation during the entire field season in Coffin Bay. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide monetary compensation. Assistants will be responsible for their own travel to Port Lincoln, South Australia, and will have to pay for their own food which in a shared basis is around AUS 80-100 per week. We?ll share house duties including cooking and cleaning. Note: if you are able to arrive to Adelaide by the 30th November the project can provide transport to fieldwork site as we?ll be driving there. We won?t be able to provide transport back to Adelaide on the 22nd December. If you are interested and you are able to commit for the entire period, please send a CV, a brief covering letter outlining your relevant experience, and contact details of two relevant referees. This information must be sent in an e-mail with the subject ?Summer field assistant? before 10th November 2014 to: cecilia.passadore@flinders.edu.au Kind regards, Cecilia Passadore ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PhD. candidate Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL) School of Biological Sciences Flinders University Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042 GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001 Lab website: www.cebel.org.au Phone: +61 8 8201-3865 Email: cecilia.passadore@flinders.edu.au